In this episode I spoke to the editors of Art Pot Magazine, Lucia  and Emilia about their experiences creating this online platform from its initial stages back when lockdown began, to its official launch in August 2020. In this conversation Lucia and Emilia share anecdotes about their meeting, the stories behind the magazine’s beginnings as well as their favourite articles and proudest moments. Moreover, the episode discusses the need to diversify the Art History curricula, the unknown local art scene around the St. Andrews ‘bubble’ and the editors’ hopes for the future.

In this week’s episode Ilaria Bevan speaks to Ben Brown, Director of Ben Brown Fine Arts, about the challenges his gallery has faced over the last twelve months, and how they have adjusted to the ‘new normal’. Toying with Instagram, online viewing rooms and managing virtual art fairs, the gallery has certainly maintained a busy calendar despite the lack of in-person engagement. However, whilst we acknowledge that this virtual world is not ideal, we discuss the gallery’s upcoming projects including a new location in Palm Beach, Florida, and getting back into the art fair circuit as early as May. As the world begins to open up, Ben Brown Fine Arts, and others alike, prepare for the excitement of visitors - things are definitely changing…

In this episode of ‘Art in the Age of Lockdown’ Ilaria Bevan speaks to Alexey Leporc, keeper of the 19th and 20th century prints at the beautiful State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg about his time in Russian over the last twelve months. In this conversation, Alexey and Ilaria discuss some of the museum’s latest exhibitions, including the ‘After Raphael. 1520-2020’ and how that Renaissance master influenced the museum’s architecture. Moreover, the conversation looks at the recent protests across Russia demanding the release of opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, as well as insights into the attitudes of people in rural Russian cities from Alexey’s recent travels.

This week on ‘Art in the Age of Lockdown’ Ilaria Bevan interviews the European chairman of Sotheby’s auction house, Oliver Barker. In this episode Ilaria and Oliver discuss behind-the-scenes action within Sotheby’s live-streamed auctions, the intricacies of this new innovation and how it has, and will continue to, impact the way auction houses conduct their auctions and connect with potential buyers. Moreover, the conversation provides insight into Oliver’s experience with these live-streamed sales, his opinions on the Bulgari partnership and the new owner of Sotheby’s, as well as much much more…

In the fifth episode of ‘Art in the Age of Lockdown’ Ilaria Bevan speaks with the Director of Ingleby Gallery, Richard Ingleby, about his recent gallery practises. The episode dives into the impact of the many cancelled art fairs, their innovative social media sequence “The Unseen Masterpiece”, the emerging spirit of collaboration within the art gallery scene and Richard’s longing to return to the artist’s studio. In addition to this, we discuss the behind-the-scenes action of their upcoming exhibition of Kevin Harman’s Glassworks, which has been postponed until a later date in 2021. Tune in to find out more!

In episode 4 of ‘Art in the Age of Lockdown’ Ilaria Bevan speaks to London-based illustrator, Alex Peake about her recent graduation from Bournemouth University, her wonderful commissions for Baker Liam Charles, male puberty and the intricacies of animation art. Furthermore the episode dives into the process of creating several of her hilarious and colourful animations as well as the inspiration behind them. Tune in to find out more!

In episode 3 of Art in the Age of Lockdown Ilaria Bevan interviews Director of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Director for Italy for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Karole Vail about the excitement of opening the museum, the Venice Biennale 2021, the changes in Venice over the last twelve months, and the ‘museum mile’. Additionally, this episode will dive into the evolution of the fabulous Peggy Guggenheim Collection Internship Programme, and the details of the now postponed Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity exhibition. Tune in to hear more about the developments at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and how they have adapted to the ‘new normal’ in Venice!

This week’s episode brings to you a conversation with the eminent artist and writer, Edmund de Waal. In this thrilling conversation Edmund and Ilaria discuss the beauty of reading, the joy of letter writing, and our changed relationship how we communicate to one another. Furthermore, this episode sheds light on Edmund’s numerous upcoming literary and exhibition projects that will be released later on in 2021. 

In episode 1 of Art in the Age of Lockdown Ilaria Bevan and Polly Robinson Gaer, Executive Director of Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, discuss online exhibitions, positives and negatives of viewing art online, the impact of COVID-19 on international art fair sales and much more.

Welcome to Art in the Age of Lockdown! We are so excited to share this podcast with you! Stay tuned to listen to a conversation featuring impressive professionals from the art world every Friday.